Here’s a super easy recipe for making crispy fried onions in the air fryer — golden, crunchy, and perfect for topping burgers, casseroles, salads, or even snacking straight out of the basket.
🧅 Air Fryer Crispy Fried Onions
🍽 Yields: ~1.5 cups
⏱ Total Time: ~20 minutes (10 min prep, 10 min cook)
📝 Ingredients
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1 large onion (yellow or white), thinly sliced
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1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour
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1/4 cup cornstarch (optional – for extra crunch)
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1/2 tsp paprika
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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Cooking spray (or a little oil to toss)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Soak the onions:
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Thinly slice the onion into rings or half-moons.
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Soak in buttermilk for 10–15 minutes (helps with tenderness and coating).
2. Prepare the coating:
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In a bowl, mix: flour, cornstarch (if using), garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Coat the onions:
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Remove onions from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
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Toss them in the flour mixture until well coated.
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Shake off excess flour.
4. Air fry:
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Preheat your air fryer to 300–325°F (150–160°C) — lower heat helps them dry out and crisp up without burning.
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Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil.
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Spread onions out in a thin layer (work in batches if needed).
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Spray tops lightly with cooking spray or drizzle with a little oil.
⏲ Cook for 10–14 minutes, shaking or stirring every 3–4 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Watch closely near the end — they can burn quickly!
✅ Tips & Variations
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Extra crispy? Add 1 tbsp breadcrumbs or panko to the flour mix.
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No buttermilk? Use regular milk with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar.
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Storage: Store cooled onions in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days (reheat in air fryer for 2–3 mins).